The artwork under discussion is the “Portrait of Mr. Cooper Penrose,” created by the illustrious artist Jacques-Louis David in 1802 in Paris, France. This oil on canvas piece is a quintessential work of the Neoclassicism movement and possesses the dimensions of 130.5 by 97.5 centimeters. As a genre, it falls under the category of portraiture and is housed at the Timken Museum of Art in San Diego, California, United States.
“Portrait of Mr. Cooper Penrose” by Jacques-Louis David is a somber yet dignified representation of an individual seated in a three-quarter pose, indicative of Neoclassical portraiture’s clarity and controlled elegance. The subject, Mr. Penrose, is depicted with a poised and reflective demeanor. His attire is formal, wearing a dark double-breasted coat over a white waistcoat and cravat, which contrasts against the subdued, almost monochromatic background, focusing the viewer’s attention on his visage and character. The painting exudes a calm and introspective atmosphere, underscored by David’s refined brushwork and restrained color palette, signatures of his mastery within the Neoclassical aesthetic. The artwork’s formal composition and penetrating psychological insight into the character of Mr. Penrose reflect both the artistic conventions of the time and the unique talents of the artist.
